French female conductor tours Vietnam, connecting the music of two nations
WVR - At the invitation of the Institut Français in Vietnam, female conductor Zahia Ziouani will embark on a tour in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City this April, collaborating with two leading symphony orchestras: the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) and the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO).
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The tour is not only an artistic performance but also a cultural exchange event with humanitarian significance, contributing to enhancing the dialogue between French classical music and Vietnamese musical life.
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| Female conductor Zahia Ziouani. (Source: Institut Français in Vietnam) |
In Hanoi, the concert will take place at 8:00 PM on April 11 at the Vietnam National Academy of Music and at 8:00 PM on April 19 at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House. These performances are expected to offer the public high-quality symphonic experiences while creating a space for interaction between artists and audiences.
Born in 1978, Zahia Ziouani is one of the prominent contemporary female conductors of France. She is renowned not only for her conducting talent but also for her persistent efforts to bring classical music closer to the community, especially to the youth and groups with limited access to academic arts.
In 1998, at just 20 years old, she founded the Divertimento Symphony Orchestra and took on the role of Music Director. Over more than 25 years of development, this orchestra has become one of the prestigious symphonic ensembles in France, noted for its innovative artistic projects and clear community orientation.
Zahia Ziouani's international career is marked by significant milestones. In 2007, she became the first female guest conductor of the Algerian National Symphony Orchestra.
She has also served as Deputy Conductor of the Densités 93 Orchestra and collaborated with many leading solo artists on major stages across Europe.
A special highlight in her career was conducting the orchestra at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This global event positioned Zahia Ziouani among the few female conductors leading in front of tens of thousands of live spectators and millions of viewers worldwide.
Besides performing, Zahia Ziouani places particular emphasis on education and training. In 2008, she founded the Divertimento Academy to discover and nurture young talents in the field of orchestral music.
She also serves as the Director of the Classiq' Music Festival in Stains and implements numerous collaborative programs with educational institutions, contributing to promoting equality in access to the arts.
Her artistic journey has also inspired the film "Divertimento" (2023), which critics have praised as a symbol of opportunity and human liberation through music.
During her tour in Vietnam, in addition to concerts, Zahia Ziouani will conduct masterclasses on orchestral conducting in collaboration with the Vietnam National Academy of Music and the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory. She will also engage with the public following screenings of the film "Divertimento" at the Alexandre Yersin French International School (April 8) and the Marguerite Duras School (April 15).
With a conducting style that is both energetic and refined, Zahia Ziouani is highly regarded for her ability to inspire and connect classical symphonic heritage with contemporary influences.
Her presence in Vietnam not only brings high-quality performances but also contributes to promoting knowledge exchange and expanding cultural dialogue, particularly in the context of increasingly emphasized international artistic collaboration.
The tour is thus expected to create a noteworthy highlight in Vietnam's musical life, where music becomes a sustainable bridge between cultures.
